tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746502363551524682.post7297682447229108422..comments2024-03-27T18:40:05.920+02:00Comments on TSorensen 1001 movie blog: Grand Illusion (La Grande Illusion) (1937)TSorensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12208153011927807857noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746502363551524682.post-31696134605574856142013-09-29T21:53:26.291+03:002013-09-29T21:53:26.291+03:00I do not know why these things happen. sometimes b...I do not know why these things happen. sometimes blogspot behaves really wierdly.<br /><br />There is definitely a loss theme, which may lead up to Blimp, but I do not read it a loss of way at waging war, but a loss of social order. The film tells us that WWI is finally succeeding in breaking down the social barrier, so that social class now means less that other factors. Nobility is no longer in a world of their own. Where there is at all room for it in the future is even doubtfull. Even Boeldieu who recognizes the change sacrifice his life.<br /><br />Nice touch with the hair :-)<br />TSorensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12208153011927807857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746502363551524682.post-30805757846794209962013-09-29T20:21:21.318+03:002013-09-29T20:21:21.318+03:00I'm going to try this again, since my comment ...I'm going to try this again, since my comment didn't post the first time.<br /><br />For me, this film is all about loss. That's common when it comes to war films, but this isn't about the loss of people or the loss of innocence, but the loss of an era. There's a genteel quality to the way people want the war to be fought and a reality that simply no longer conforms to it. In a real way, this is a precursor to a film like The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, since it's that same sort of lost era. <br /><br />On a less serious note, Jean Gabin's hair deserves its own line in the credits.SJHoneywellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13550007053995112090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746502363551524682.post-81045484502443519892013-09-29T11:02:33.309+03:002013-09-29T11:02:33.309+03:00Well, if there ever was a time and place to show e...Well, if there ever was a time and place to show everybody the futility of war and schisms between nationality, class and race this was it. Of course in vain as the world soon learned, but to raise a voice at this time was brave indeed. TSorensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12208153011927807857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746502363551524682.post-58342079370585593262013-09-29T10:59:10.339+03:002013-09-29T10:59:10.339+03:00Thank you for your kind words. You may not have to...Thank you for your kind words. You may not have to wait. The blog club review is just around the corner. <br />To me this is an ensemble film. Yes, it features Gabin, but he is just part of the picture, where normally he is the very center. I think this role fits him well. We are meant to like him and we do. TSorensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12208153011927807857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746502363551524682.post-74940410244484784932013-09-28T18:19:18.030+03:002013-09-28T18:19:18.030+03:00I saw this several years ago before I had seen any...I saw this several years ago before I had seen any other Renoir film. My take on it when I saw it was that it was a bit of wish fulfillment on Renoir's part. As you said, he brings together three very different people and while they do not get along perfectly, they learn respect. And the whole French and German officers getting along felt like a hope that the worsening tide in Europe in the late 1930s might still be resolved without trouble if only both sides would get along like the two men in this film.Chip Laryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00787403805554027107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746502363551524682.post-47858169427489895442013-09-28T17:37:31.241+03:002013-09-28T17:37:31.241+03:00I have been saving up my umpteenth rewatch of this...I have been saving up my umpteenth rewatch of this for the blog club review. But I may not be able to wait much longer after your excellent review! Suffice it to say that this film was my own entree into Renoir and began my love affair with Jean Gabin. As such, it is very, very special to me. I just love it.marie_dresslerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06334550550983418668noreply@blogger.com